The Sprout

Skatepark ideas

The Newsletter for North Hinksey & Botley

Issue 161 October 2021

The Sprout

The Newsletter for North Hinksey & Botley

Directors: Janet Bartlam, Judi Bolder, John Clements,

Michael Cockman, Ag MacKeith, Robin Palmer

Editor

Ag MacKeith

South View House, Old Botley, OX2 0JR Tel: 724452 Editor@TheSprout.org.uk

Advertising Manager

Michael Cockman

50, St Paul's Crescent OX2 9AG Te l : 07766 317691 Adverts@TheSprout.org.uk

Deliveries

Bhee Bellew and Robin Cox

15 Seacourt Road, OX2 9LD Tel: 790648 Deliveries@TheSprout.org.uk

Copy Date: Copy by 15th of month preceding publication. Earlier submission is

welcome. Later contributions may have to be held over to the next issue.

Advertisements: If you have print-ready advertisements in the correct format the

last day for booking advertising is the 10th of the month preceding publication; in all

other circumstances more advance notice will be needed. For details about exact

sizes, quality requirements, advice on text and help with production, please contact

the Advertising Manager.

Advertising rates:

½ page: 1 issue £56; 3 issues £135; 5 issues £182; 10 issues; £322

¼ page: 1 issue £28; 3 issues £67.50; 5 issues £91; 10 issues; £161

1/8 page: 1 issue £14; 3 issues £33.75; 5 issues £45.50; 10 issues; £80.50

Subscriptions: If you live outside North Hinksey Parish you can still receive The

Sprout on a regular basis. Just take out a postal subscription – only £12 per annum,

delivered to your door. Contact: Carol Kramer 01865 243002.

Whilst every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of information printed in this

newsletter, mistakes may happen. The Editor and Team apologize unreservedly for

any errors that may occur and will do their best to correct them. This publication is not

a vehicle of the parish council, and parish councillors working with the Sprout do so in

a personal capacity. Opinions expressed are the opinions of the individual

contributors.

All concerned in the production and delivery of The Sprout are unpaid volunteers.

The Sprout is printed by Dataprint Ltd, and published by North

Hinksey Parish Publications Ltd, (a company limited by

guarantee) Registration No. 05609535.

It can also be found online at BotleyHinksey.org.uk

The Sprout

Issue 161, October 2021

Contents

3 Afghan Crisis

5 Botley School is Back

9 Skatepark Latest

10 New Parish Clerk Needed

11 Magic Sounds

13 Botley W.I. and Lunch Club

14 Tap Social Latest

15 Tale of a Tree

17 BMC – Work in Progress

23 Botley Library Update

24 Apple Recipes

27 Cumnor Cricket Celebrates

29 Swamped by the Arc

31 Carmen Caldera

Give the Sprout Wings

33 Local Planning Apps

35 Glen Larder Exhibition

37 Oxford Area Quillers

38 October U3A Talks

43 Local organizations

From the Editor

As you can see from the long list above, things are opening up

again with a vengeance. We decided to sprinkle all those inviting

new activities throughout the pages, instead of collecting them all

at the end, so see the contents list for all that’s going on. Other

items of interest this month are an update from the Botley Medical

Centre, who continue to work on improving their service (p17), an

insight into the worrying implications of the proposed Oxford-

Cambridge Arc (p29), a cheering account of a local tree saved

against the odds (p15), and some apple recipes ready for Apple

Day on 17th October. Our cover shows skatepark designs under

scrutiny on 5th September (see page 9). Following on from the

public meeting on 25th September to explore what community

action can do to avert the climate crisis, next month’s issue will be

dedicated to local initiatives on this front.

Ag MacKeith

Afghan crisis – how we can help

The lethargy brought

about whilst suffering

from the effects of

Covid forced me to my

sofa and a binge of

TV. I’d not kept up

with the news much,

not least the

announced withdrawal

of U.S. and British

troops from

Afghanistan. I found

myself watching report

after report live from Kabul, the shocking images of Afgans clinging

to wings of planes and that baby being handed over to a U.S. solder.

How desperate must one be to do that with one’s own child? As a

mother I could not process that. I felt unsettled.

As a family we’ve been helping Gazan Palestinians over the years

and have made many dear friends, some of whom have become like

family. It’s impossible to put into words the rewards experienced

from doing a small piece of good.

The last of our children has just left home so we have room in our

house to offer someone in need. Surely everyone has the right to a

safe and dignified life? But it’s not that simple. After some

investigation it’s clear this is going to be a waiting game, as people

need to be processed and matched to a family.

Tak in g s om e on e fr om a re fug ee background into my home is not

done light-heartedly and honestly I’m nervous, but I’ve experienced

the rewards of similar kindness in the past, so I’m up for it.

There are many ways people can help other than hosting, such as

donating goods, services, or your time, or lobbying your MP. If you

feel you may be able to offer a room to enable that person or family

to rebuild their lives, register at www.roomsforrefugees.com.

Transform a life and your life will be transformed. Here are some

useful addresses: www.positiveactions.org , www.refugeesathome.org;

www.unhcr.org/uk/supporting-refugees-in-the-uk

Fionnuala Maynard

Botley School is Back

As we start our new academic year at Botley School, I find myself

looking back on one of the most challenging years of my career.

During our assemblies last year we talked a lot about having a

positive mind-set and looking out for the good in every day. With that

in mind, I wanted to take this opportunity to reflect on what we

managed to achieve, despite the challenges.

Foremost in my mind is the speed with which staff, pupils and

parents alike learnt new computing and IT skills in the world of

online remote learning. How brilliantly that was achieved was

demonstrated by the accelerated progress our children made, which

we measured in the assessments we carried out in July. This

progress was made despite the gloomy predictions that our children

were going to fall behind in their learning.

We creatively refashioned traditional events for a socially distanced

world. There was our Lantern Parade around the Quad; those

Christmas performance videos shared online; the virtual author visits

and competitions on World Book Day; Comic Relief fundraising;

remote Whole School Assemblies every week; the Macmillan Coffee

Morning; and the Remembrance Day assembly and other activities,

to name just a few.

We also managed to squeeze in a visit from our local MP, Layla

Moran, at the beginning of July,

linking in to our recent work on

democracy and the Year 6

transition project on the

environment. The children’s

questions were mature and

insight fu l and demonstrated how

much children do want to

understand the world around

them.

The giant pumpkin the children grew in

Forest School lessons. We are hoping

to carve it for Hallowe’en.

And now we are looking forward to the year ahead. The first week

back was a joyous start for a number of reasons: the children are

collaborating in groups again, we can gather as a school for

assembly and sing our welcome song. We have been able to

reintroduce hot school meals in the dining hall. The school was a

calm, happy and focussed place of learning and the children came

back and settled into their new classes and routines beautifully.

With fewer restrictions we are also hoping to create more chances to

bring our community back together face to face. We are looking

forward to holding performances and fundraising events, and to

restarting our clubs and enrichment programmes. We are delighted

that Botley Bridges are now back on site and holding regular family

sessions again. Soon we will be able to restart parent and adult

learning classes in our Caterpillars community room. Over the

summer break the hall and canteen were decorated, making the

start to this new school year seem brighter and fresh!

Finally, we would like to discuss our School Vision and Values with

our parents and the local community. Invita tio n s to a consultation

evening in November will be sent out over the next few weeks. We

are hoping for inp u t from local organizations and community leaders

from different faiths, so please do keep an eye out for them .

But for now, welcome to the new school year. We look forward to

keeping you updated on all our adventures here at Botley School.

Jo Reid, Headteacher

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“Oh, yes you do!”

If you are looking for something different to do this autumn/winter,

there might be an opportunity to join West Oxford's 10th Pantomime.

They have been looking for Dames, leading ladies, comedy double

acts and anybody with lots of enthusiasm. No previous experience

necessary.

There are parts for children (from Year 2 upwards), teenagers and

adults. If you are not comfortable on the stage, why not volunteer

for a back stage role such as costume making, hair and make up,

prop making, etc, etc

It is a lovely opportunity to work as part of a team, make new friends

and most importantly have fun! Register online www.wopa.me

Auditions were in September, but it might not be too late. Worth an

ask, anyway.

Our new Skatepark

The Botley Bowl Skatepark Campaign gained momentum as we

shared our plans and ideas at the pop-up cafe on September 5th.

The event was well attended by Botley locals and those from further

afield who are excited and curious about the potential of the bowl

coming back to Botley. Skaters from Eynsham and Oxford Wheels

Project and even some of the people who were part of the original

Botley bowl came to offer their support and advice.

The public were asked to complete a survey, indicating the features

and style they would prefer. From the survey, the pop-up cafe and

professional advice we've had we'll produce a design brief to put be-

fore the parish council to approve, and move forward with the ten-

dering process.

From a personal point of view this was an incredible event that

reminded me why this is such an important facility to bring back to

Botley. I used to live on Cedar road back in the 80s and 90s when

the original skatepark was built. I was 8 or 9 at the time, and a bit

younger than the other kids who were part of the campaign for the

original bowl. My friends and I couldn't believe how lucky we were

and how special we thought Botley was that a skatepark would be

put up in our area!

There were regular skate events held there and at Botley school. On

any given day we could see professional skaters from around the

UK – the world, even – come to Botley to share their skills. For us it

was inspirational, somewhere we could go anytime to chal-

lenge ourselves, learn from each other and have fun. It inspired me

to take up one of the most difficult but rewarding sports around.

Skateboarding is hard! To get good you need determination to

keep getting back up when you fall. Bravery to push yourself to drop

in for the first time. Creativity to discover new tricks and new lines

around the park. Practice, you need to practise a lot! What perhaps I

loved the best is the community we found there with older kids and

adults teaching younger riders the many techniques you need to get

good and to be safe.

Botley really had something amazing back then that wasn't probably

appreciated by any of us until now. Having moved away when I

went to University then coming back to Botley to start a family I was

heartbroken to find one the very best things about Botley was no

longer there. Long story short, this is why I'm here and why we have

an enthusiastic working group pushing to create a sport facility to put

Botley back on the map and inspire our children to get out and chal-

lenge themselves, and learn new skills, and make new friends.

Next step is to get the tender process under way, approve a design,

appoint a contractor and raise the funds?!! We'll be back for your

support on all of these points and welcome any new comers to sup-

port the working group.

Francis Prime

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NORTH HINKSEY PARISH COUNCIL SEEKS FULL-TIME

CLERK AND RESPONSIBLE FINANCIAL OFFICER

Could you be our new Clerk and RFO, working with North Hinksey Parish

Council to deliver exciting projects and services for our dynamic

community? NHPC is seeking a committed professional who is keen to

help us achieve our ambitious vision, including providing new leisure

facilities and becoming a carbon-neutral community.

We are looking for someone with attention to detail, proficiency in

Microsoft Office (primarily Word and Excel), experience with

financial/accounting practises, a friendly and professional communication

style, and excellent organisational and time-management skills. CiLCA

qualification and work experience within Local Government are highly

desirable, but the Council will support the successful candidate in any

further training needed.

Hours: 37 per week (could be job share)

Location: North Hinksey Parish Council office, West Way

Centre (https://northhinksey-pc.gov.uk/)

Salary: falling within NJC pay scales 21 to 28, plus pension

Start date: 1st November 2021 or as soon as possible thereafter

Contact: To discuss the role further, contact Cllr Caroline Potter

(Chair of NHPC): cllr.caroline.potter@gmail.com , 07590

194768

To ap p ly: Download the application form and Job Description at:

https://northhinksey-pc.gov.uk/2021/09/could-you-be-our-new-clerk/

Email your completed application form and CV, showing how you meet the

required skills and experience as outlined in the Job Description, to Cllr Potter at

the above email address.

Magic Sounds

Monkey Music Oxford have

come to Botley. They

launched their award-

winning classes in the new

Seacourt Hall in September.

This is how they describe

their programme: “We

introduce small babies from

three months into a gently

paced session with other

little ones of similar age,

keeping class numbers low

and intimate, so that carers

and babies often become

friends for life. Babies are captivated by magic sounds, and find

opportunities to discover they too can make music with instruments

which are perfectly sized for little hands. There is lots of parental

involv e ment. We listen to rhymes together, sing along, and help our

little ones to develop their emotional, social, language and physical

skills. As the babies grow, so they progress through tailor-made

music classes, to become

inquisitive toddlers and

then more independent

children who will be even

more ready for nursery or

big school having had such

a fun learning experience

at Monkey Music. Our 30-

minute classes are packed

with age-appropriate

activities to keep all the

family engaged, with many

great resources to

stimulate the children’s

natural desire to learn and be little sponges, absorbing so much

from the vast range of traditional and original songs, musical games

and busy movement activities.” The first class is free and can be

booked through their website: www.monkeymusic.co.uk/area/oxford

or email enquiries to oxford@monkeymusic.co.uk .

BOTLEY W.I.

Our speaker on 5th October will be Christine Ramsey, talking about

Flowers (she will Zoom, we shall be in the hall) – visitors are always

welcome!

The monthly walking, green-ish fingers, craft, music and book

groups will have events too. Contact 07598 251161 for details or

see our Facebook page, Botley WI.

Quiz night and Ploughman’s Supper on Saturday 23rd October,

7pm, maximum six to a team; £8 per person, bring your own drink.

Call 01865 245273 to book. .

Car boot/tabletop sale 11:00--13:30 on October 10th, at Botley WI

hall, North Hinksey Lane, OX2 0LT. £10 per table or car park space.

Outside if fine, indoors if wet. Refreshments available. Call 01865

245273 to book your space. Advance notice: Christmas Fair, 28

November. Alison Jenner

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

BOTLEY SENIORS LUNCH CLUB

I’m pleased to report that Botley Seniors Lunch

Club successfully opened its doors again on

Thursday 9th September.

Keeping Covid-19 precautions in mind, the

volunteers cheerfully prepared and served a 2-

course lunch for the 36 diners who came to the

Seacourt Hall to meet friends and chat over a

meal. It was lovely to see so many regulars as

well as welcome a few new faces after the

longest break in the nearly 50 year-old history of the club. A

favourite meal of sausage meat pie, mashed potatoes, carrots and

peas, followed by meringue nests served with whipped cream,

strawberries and grapes seemed to go down a treat amidst lively

chatter from the elderly diners.

If you would like to join in with the Seniors Lunch Club sessions,

they are held fortnightly, on alternate Thursdays, always in the

Seacourt Hall. Be there at 12.00 for lunch at 12.30, and please ring

Jackie Warner on 01865 721386 to check that there is a place

available before you come for the first time. Viv Smith

Tap Social Movement

What’s been happening at Botley’s own Tap Social Movement,

based in Curtis’s Yard? The place that’s been consoling us since

2016 for the loss of four of Botley’s five pubs?

Well, they have grown and flourished, despite the pandemic, to such

a degree that we now find we must share them with Banbury and

South Oxford. Ours no longer! And only open now for three days a

week. The opening hours are Thursday from 5 to 11pm, Fridays

from 4 till 12, and Saturdays between 2 and 12.

Still, they continue to host a wide range of events including live

music, charity fundraisers, yoga classes, food trucks & festivals,

cinema nights, etc. And there’s usually some form of street food, in

case you suddenly don’t feel like cooking. Did anyone go to the

Waste to Taste jamboree on 26th September, that marked the end of

Oxfordshire’s contribution to the Great Big Green Week? (If so,

please feel free to send us a review!)

This year, Tap took over the White House pub on the Abingdon

Road. The new space, open 7 days/week, is a community cafe, bar

and kitchen, serving seasonal food and all day brunch, speciality

coffee and their own locally

brewed beer (amongst other

guest beers and drinks). They

also opened a new bar in

Banbury's Lock29, where they

sit as anchor tenant in a ‘vibrant

food and market mixed-use

space’. Could be worth a trip.

The good news is that, as a

result, they have been able to

expand the employment

opportunities available for those

who have come into contact

with the criminal justice system.

People from prison can now

work across a range of jobs in

brewing and packaging,

delivery driving, front of house

hospitality, and cooking/baking.

Tale of a Tree

I’m telling this tale, not to blow my own trumpet for having done a

good deed for once, but to show that citizen action really can work.

Here’s what happened. Walking back from the shops one Monday

afternoon, I turned into North Hinksey Lane where the roadworks

are now under way, and noticed a yellow line drawn across the

grass. I asked if they were planning to cut a trench there, as it would

be a pity to damage the roots of the young oak tree that is doing so

well on that patch. Well, no, said the kindly man in charge of the

team, but it wouldn’t matter anyway. That tree’s coming down on

Wednesday. ‘WHAT!” I gasped. “You can’t be serious! It’s doing so

well. It’s such a nice shape! I watered it when it was just a stick.”

Well, he was very sympathetic, but what could he do?

I went home and got on with the things I had to do, but that night I

woke up at about 3.30am, so boiling with rage and grief at the

pointless loss of a healthy young tree – in the name of greening the

road, what’s more – that I couldn’t sleep. So I got out my phone and

sent an email to Andy Warren, in charge of the Botley Corridor road

improvement scheme. I said that if I’d noticed that was on the plan,

I’d have opposed it with all my strength. I asked if alternative routes

had been considered, urged the good work the tree was doing in

reducing noise and pollution, and asked him to copy my letter to the

County Tree Officer. I decided there and then that I’d sit by the tree

and defy the chainsaw on Wednesday, and sent a letter to the

Oxford Mail saying so.

To c ut a lo ng s tor y sh o rt , I ha d a n e m ai l la te r th a t m or ni ng sa yi n g th e

matter was being looked into. And one from the Tree Officer saying

he’d like to phone me, could I send my number. When he rang half

an hour later it was to say that Andy Warren had called off the felling

while the other options were looked at. He himself had opposed the

destruction of the tree last January. And then, on the Monday

following, I had a further email from Andy Warren saying that on

reflection, they had tweaked the bike path and would keep the tree.

The moral of this story is this: when you see something happening

that you really feel is a mistake, don’t just shout and tear your hair.

Try calling your local councillor, because they just might know who

to contact. It’s knowing where to target your efforts that makes all

the difference. Ag MacKeith

Botley Medical Centre – Work in Progress

NOW

Livi appointments live from 1st September: BMC patients can

now access digital appointments with a Livi GP through their smart

phones or computer. Livi doctors can offer medical advice along with

prescriptions delivered to a pharmacy near you. This increases the

appointments offered to our patients by 100 per week. You should

have received a text containing a link to download the app. Our

website has more information about the system. At the practice we

have leaflets, other material and our receptionists can tell you more.

• If you are our patient and you didn’t receive the text, we don’t

have your current phone number. Please provide your updated

contact details by going to the Quick Links / Online Services in

the right-hand sidebar at our website.

Call back system: works well for patients, thank you to the PPG for

passing on this feedback. A very long wait for a call-back was

reported following the late August Bank Holiday. We had over 300

calls that morning. More calls than usual come after a weekend,

doubly so after a long weekend, so please avoid calling at those

times if possible while we remain short-staffed. You may have to wait

longer for a call-back during busy times. We’re monitoring the time it

takes to receive a call back and will provide an update next month.

Temporary closures of Kennington reception: occasionally, we

have to close the Kennington reception from 4pm. Planned

appointments will still be available. Please check in using the

electronic check-in system as usual.

Who can I see at BMC and how?

A guide to our services and how to book them:

At BMC appointments with the following clinical staff can be made,

subject to availability:

GPs, Nurses, Health Care Assistants, Midwife, Physician’s Associ-

ates, Paramedics, First Contact Physiotherapist, Clinical Pharma-

cists, Care Coordinators, Social Prescribers, Primary Care

Healthcare workers (from Mind), and we are recruiting a Mental

Health Practitioner.

Please give the receptionist a brief description of your clinical needs

so that they can book you an appointment with the most appropriate

clinician. Call after 11am to book an appointment with a clinician

other than the GPs, for up to 4–6 weeks in advance.

GP appointments:

• Currently, you can only book appointments with a GP on the day

by calling early in the day.

• You can also book an appointment online to see a GP face to

face. Please request online access at the practice. Once it is set

up, download the PatientAccess app on to your smartphone, tab-

let or home computer. Please follow a number of steps, including

information to identify yourself. When your account is set up you

will be able to log in safely and securely. This service can only be

used for ‘on the day’ appointments after 8am and will only offer a

slot if one is available that day. Five appointments are reserved

per GP per day. Please book an appointment this way if you can.

Blood test results can also be seen through the app.

Healthcare services you can book independently:

You can refer yourself to the following NHS services in Oxfordshire,

without a GP appointment first:

• For muscle- or joint-relates issues, Healthshare’s physio service

is here: https://healthshare.org.uk/refer-patient/

• For Adults with mild or moderate depression and anxiety, Talk-

ingSpacePlus provides the IAPT service here:

https://www.oxfordhealth.nhs.uk/talkingspaceplus/

Recruitment Update: recruiting has been slow over the holiday

season. Some excellent students who worked with us over the

summer have moved on. A medical secretary, social prescriber and

two Mind workers will join the team shortly. We continue to prioritise

recruitment as vacancies remain.

CQC update: CQC are pleased with our progress and will soon pub-

lish a report about our recent interim inspection.

Flu vaccinations: Flu jabs are delayed. We are waiting to hear

when they will be delivered. We will receive notification seven days

before delivery and set up Saturday clinics on both sites to deliver

them. We will send a text message and put a notification on our

website when you can call in to make the appointment. People who

happen to be seeing a Nurse / HCAs / Physician Associate or GP

during this period will be offered a flu jab at the same time, if appro-

priate.

Covid Booster vaccinations: will be delivered in line with national

decisions. We await further information.

LATER

There will be a fresh CQC inspection towards the year-end. Mean-

while, the PPG Executive have suggested this Q&A section:

Q. How do I find out who my registered GP is?

A. Ask when you call for an appointment, or find their name on your

prescription.

Q. What if patients need to use more than 100 Livi appointments a

week?

A. Livi expects a lot of use in the first few weeks and will deliver

these appointments flexibly. There is no hard cut-off at the

100th appointment.

Q. What vacancies are there at the Practice?

A. We have vacancies for 4 GPs, 1 nurse, 5 receptionists.

Q. How many doctors are full time?

A. All four current GPs are full time, and currently work longer than

normal hours to cover the vacancies.

Q. What’s the best way to order repeat prescriptions?

A. Through your pharmacist, or using patient access, via email to

botleymedicalcentre@nhs.net, paper forms. Please order as far in

advance as you can while we are short-staffed.

The Next PPG meeting will

be on Tuesday October 12th

at 6pm and will include a

presentation on non-GP staff

available for consultation.

Please email our secretary

csugden@ocrpl.org for the

Zoom link.

Chris Sugden

Botley Library Information

We’re so pleased to say that our opening hours have

reverted to the pre-Covid ones which are: Monday,

Tuesday and Thursday 9.30am to 5.30pm;

Wednesday Closed; Friday 9.30am to 7.00pm and

Saturday 9.30am to 1.00pm. Our email:

botley.library@oxfordshire.gov.uk or you can phone

us on 07922 849680.

Now that the Autumn has arrived it’s time to stock up

on some books for those cosy nights to come! Don’t

forget you can download ebooks too with our library

app. You can also visit the library pages on

www.oxfordshire.gov.uk to see what else there is to

offer. Do you know that you can access the daily newspapers on-line

with Pressreader and also stream music with Naxos? Please ask a

member of staff for more details.

In half-term, October 25th to 29th, there will be spooky crafts to

make in time for your Halloween decorations. All supplies will be

provided, but children will need an adult in tow.

If you haven’t yet visited the library then please do pay us a visit. It

has been so lovely to see our regular customers coming back and

we look forward to welcoming new ones! You will see the familiar

members of staff, but we also have some lovely new colleagues too.

Botley Library Staff

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

BOTLEY APPLE DAY

South View House

Old Botley OX2 0JR

SUNDAY 17th OCTOBER

3pm – 5pm

Are apples going to waste in your garden? Bring and share them at

Botley Apple Day. People-powered apple press to turn bruised apples

and leftovers into juice. Apples identified. Apple recipes and storage

ideas. Bring knives, juice containers. No apples? Just come anyway. Fun

for all the family! Phone 01865 724452 for details or just turn up

Apple recipes

This year's crop has come rather late, and was somewhat affected

by late frosts and unseasonable downpours, but there is still enough

to enjoy. There’s no sign of the usual Oxfordshire Apple Days, just

Waterperry, which is hosting Not the Apple Day on the weekend of

9th and 10th October, 10-4pm.

“Because of the unusual climatic changes,” they explain, “apple

weekend will not be the same as usual. So, instead of an abun-

dance of apples cascading off our tables for you to taste and buy,

we will be concentrating on tours and education showing the visitor

in a very real and practical way the challenges the orchard team

face. Our guests should get an insight into the life cycle of the apple

tree, the wonders of grafting, the reason for pruning, and the

measures we are now putting into place to try and ensure we have a

good harvest in the future. You will be able to see juice being made,

taste our wonderful single variety juices and ask questions of the

experts.” Go to www.waterperrygardens.co.uk to book.

Our own Apple Day will be on 17th October (see previous page).

Apple and beer fritters, adapted from Sue Clifford and Angela

King's excellent Apple Source Book. Whisk 150ml beer, 110g self-

raising flour and 1 tablespoon sugar together to form a thick batter.

Leave to stand for an hour. Cut four eating apples into slices, dip

them in flour, shake off excess, dip them into the batter several

slices at a time, and deep fry until golden.

Baked apples: Remove the cores from four large

apples. Fill the holes with raisins and chopped

almonds. Place a small knob of butter on top

of each filled hole. Drizzle on some golden

syrup, and pour some water into the dish

so they don’t dry out. Bake for about 40

minutes at 180C.

Apple cobbler, a variant on apple crumble

adapted from Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall's River Cottage Year.

Peel, core and slice 1.5 kilos of cooking apples. Simmer gently with

150g sugar and a couple of tablespoons of water until a smooth

puree is formed, about 15 minutes. Pour into a large ovenproof

dish. Make the cobbler topping by mixing together into a soft dough

100g self-raising flour, 100ml milk and 75g butter that has been

gently warmed so that the butter melts, 1 teaspoon lemon juice,

100g ground almonds and 50g sugar. Place the topping on the

apples in large, evenly-spaced spoonfuls. Bake for about 30

minutes at 180C and let cool slightly before serving.

Apple-cheese pancakes: An American recipe based on the

Moosewood Cookbook. Mix together 1 cupful cottage or ricotta

cheese, 1 packed cupful of grated apples, ¾ cupful of flour, 1

tablespoon of sugar, 4 egg yolks, and any combination that you

fancy of lemon juice, chopped almonds, cinnamon and salt. Beat 4

egg whites until they are stiff, and fold gently into the batter. Fry in

butter on both sides until the pancakes are brown.

Barbequed apple slices: Stir together 3 tablespoons of melted

butter, 2 tablespoons sugar and 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon. Add

two tart eating apples, sliced, and stir until the slices are fully coated.

Wrap the slices in aluminium foil, place on a barbeque grill, and cook

for 30 minutes until soft and caramelised.

Riki Therivel

Celebrating in Style

Cumnor Cricket Club marked its 125th anniversary in style with fun

for all the family at Park Field.

A junior cricket festival, BBQ, bouncy castle and exhibition cricket

match attracted around 500 people across August's Bank Holiday

Sunday. The event also hosted a lively performance from the Cum-

nor Mayor's Band, Five O'clock Somewhere, before the evening was

capped off with a superb fireworks

display from Storm Fireworks.

The club would like to thank the

Cumnor community for dropping by

throughout the day. It was really

great to see so many new faces

who hadn't been down to the cricket

club before. Our raffle and auction

raised some much-needed funds for

our club, which we plan to put to-

wards refurbishing the clubhouse

bar. The feedback has been really

positive from all who attended, so

the event may become an annual

one – watch this space!

David Clapton

Swamped by the Arc

Government is consulting on the ‘Ox-Cam Arc’ until 12 October –

please make your voice heard!

The Ox-Cam Arc is a Government plan to increase the total number of

jobs, houses and people in Beds, Bucks, Cambs, Northants and Oxon

by more than 60% by 2050 to help “achieve the area’s full economic

potential”. This would mean 1.1 million more jobs, one million more

homes and about two million more people in the area: the equivalent of

almost two new Oxfords in Oxfordshire.

The government documents do not mention this scale of growth. They

imply that the Arc can do everything: provide great economic growth

AND a wonderful environment AND make everyone healthy and happy.

But we know that isn’t possible. Doubling the area of built-up land will

definitely affect the environment. A focus on high-tech jobs will leave

many people behind.

Government argues that the ‘agglomeration effect’ of linking the high-

tech centres of Oxford and Cambridge will be ‘transformative’ in terms

of economic growth. However this will require rapid transport links,

vastly increasing the number of car journeys across the region. Covid

has shown that Zoom allows people to work anywhere, so why do we

need a vast physical ‘Arc’?

Government has also not considered whether other areas would benefit

more from rapid growth as part of ‘levelling up’. An independent study

considered five ‘alternative Arcs’ (Leeds– Bradford–Huddersfield,

Manchester–Salford–Bolton, Newcastle–Sunderland–Te es s id e, De rb y–

Nottingham, and Wolverhampton–Birmingham–Coventry) and found

them all to be more sustainable and more economically beneficial than

the Ox-Cam scheme.

Government is deciding our future in almost total secrecy. Plans for an

Ox-Cam Arc have been around for years, but this is the first public

consultation on it.

If all of this bothers you – or, equally, if you are in favour of

transformative growth in Oxfordshire – please FIRST fill in an

alternative survey which gives more information on the points above

(tinyurl.co m /5 M in A rc S ur ve y) and THEN fill in the official survey with

plenty of comments in the ‘anything else to add’ boxes. Useful

background information and suggestions on how to fill in the

Government consultation can be found at

https://tinyurl.com/OCAsurveyhelp. Riki Therivel

Carmen Caldera

Carmen’s beautiful book of black and white photos of local families,

Botley Under Lockdown, has now been printed, and will be

presented to Botley Library this autumn at an event to be

announced. Carmen herself has abandoned the Law, and launched

her new career as a family portrait and event photographer. Yo u c a n

find details of events and prices along with a gallery of photographs

on carmencalderaphotography.com . The Sprout wishes Carmen

every success in her new vocation.

Give the Sprout wings

Now life is starting to return to our patch, the Sprout would welcome

some new writers and artists. Could anyone manage a comic strip,

or a cartoon? Are there any scouts or brownies who’d like to earn a

journalism badge? – please get in touch. We once had a children’s

corner, a gardening column, and a regular recipe slot. Would anyone

like to take on any of these again? All ideas and suggestions

seriously considered by editor@thesprout.org.uk and the editorial

team.

LOCAL PLANNING APPLICATIONS

P21/V2187/FUL

The Willows 4 Yarnells Rd.

Demolish existing house & build 6 x

2 bedroom & 1 x 2 bedroom flats.

5 August

TDD: 30 Sept

P21/V2188/HH

4 Chelsie House 104 West Way.

Erect a double garage.

9 August

TDD: 4 Oct

P21/V2309/FUL

3A Cumnor Hill. Change of use

from small HMO to two dwellings.

9 August

TDD: 4 Oct

P21/V2329/HH

34 Beech Rd. Single storey rear

extension, loft conversion with rear

flat roof dormer, home office in

back garden + paving for parking at

front.

11 August

Target

Decision Date:

6 October

P21/V2400/LDP

36 Westminster Way. Certificate of

lawfulness for conversion from

residential dwelling to House in

Multiple Occupation (HMO),

maximum of 6 people.

18 August

TDD: 13 Oct

P21/V2370/HH

and

P21/V2372/LB

Old Manor House, 20 North

Hinksey Lane. Conservation

repairs to windows & other features

internally and externally. Some

historical works are also cited.

19 August

TDD: 14 Oct

P21/V2462/FUL

West Way Junction of North

Hinksey Lane. Replace existing

15m monopole and cabinets with

20m monopole, 12 antenna, & 4

equipment cabinets

25 August

TDD: 20 Oct

P21/V2096/HH

15 Yarnells Rd. Construction of

single storey side extension.

31 August

TDD: 26 Oct

Oxford, Venice and other works by Glenn Larder

Botley Arts' current exhibition features a variety of works by Glenn

Larder, including views of Oxford, flowers and fantastic creatures.

Here’s how he describes his career to date:

“I started painting back in

the 1970s when living in

London. The medium I

used in those days was

coloured inks. I didn't be-

come a regular painter for

many years, more of an

occasional dabbler, just

picking up my brushes

from time to time. I didn't

have any formal training

and often thought about

getting involved in an art

course but never took the

idea any further, a source

of considerable regret

now.

About eight or nine years

ago I finally enrolled for

art classes with Abingdon

and Witney College, and

up to the start of the pan-

demic I was attending

these classes on a regular basis. I am hoping they will resume later

this year. I have had my paintings hanging in a number of group ex-

hibitions, but this is my first solo exhibition and I’m very grateful to

Botley Arts for giving me this opportunity.” The picture shows a self

portrait entitled, after Tennyson [The mirror cracked from] Side to

Side.

The exhibition is on view in the church of Saint Peter and Saint Paul

until mid November.

Oxford Area Quillers

Our regular monthly meetings have resumed, and we have also had

a very successful exhibition as part of Oxford Open Doors at County

Hall. During this exhibition it came to our notice that many people

didn’t know our group existed. We seem to have been “hiding our

light under a bushel”, so we would like to apologise for this and

hopefully be able to periodically provide some information for “The

Sprout”. Our next monthly meeting is on Saturday 2nd October at

Botley WI Hall in North Hinksey Lane. We meet from around 10.30

(people arriving from about 10 in order to get a cup of tea and chat

before we start properly) and finishing around 3pm. The club is very

flexible in that people can leave at lunchtime if they don’t want to

stay longer. The first meeting/lesson is free to see if you like it, all

we ask is that you bring your own packed lunch and a cup for a

drink. Everything is provided for the first session. After that if you

enjoy quilling and would like to join us, the cost is £6 each session to

cover the hire of the hall. Should you decide to take up the hobby,

materials can be bought from the club at cost price (or less). If you

are interested in coming along or finding out more then please

contact Dilly Aspland at dillyquillers@yahoo.com or phone Jenny

Green on 01993 703910. If you’re wondering what all this is about,

we now have a Facebook page where you can see pictures of our

work.

Angela Arnold

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Mystery Object

Have you ever seen one of these?

At Oxford Open Doors, for

instance (clue).

What could it possibly be?

Suggestions to the Editor at

editor@thesprout.org.uk

U3A Talks for October

U3A talks are on the second and fourth Mondays of each month, at

2.30pm.

Monday 11th October: 150 Years of the London Underground by

Mark Ovenden. Mark is an author and BBC presenter and producer.

He will focus on the design, architecture, cartography and signage

used in transport.

Monday 25th October: Lady Poisoners of Victorian England by Da-

vid Allen. Our speaker's life as a solicitor, actor and storyteller has

enabled him to research and deliver a great range of macabre tales.

Zoom presentations will continue to the end of November; they may

be viewed at home or at Dean Court Community Centre.

From January 2022 the talks will be given by the speakers in person

at Dean Court – back to normal at last.

Hugh Manson

Organizations: If your organization is not listed here, please send details

to editor@thesprout.org.uk or telephone 724452 for inclusion.

1st Botley Brownies

Girls aged 7–10

Dean Court Community Centre Thur 6–7.30 Jean

Metson, firstbotleybrownies@gmail.com

2nd Botley Brownies

Girls aged 7–10

Rosary Room, Yarnells Hill. Tues 6:15-7:45 Alison

Griffin 2ndbotleybrownies@outlook.com

4th Oxford Scout Group

Beavers, Cub Scouts, Scouts

mail@thefourth.org.uk Website:

http://www.thefourth.org.uk/

15th Oxford Scout Group

Boys and girls welcome

Fridays, Cubs 6.30-8, Scouts 8-9.30, 1 Church Way, Botley

Amy Cusden (Cubs) 07887 654386, Tom Freeman (Scouts)

07837 623768 xvoxfordscouts@yahoo.co.uk

Baby & Toddler Group

Tues/Thurs 9.15–11, SS Peter & Paul Church Hall

Badminton Club

Thurs 7-8pm at Matthew Arnold Sports Hall. Garry

Clark 0777 3559 314 garryclark13@gmail.com

BikeSafe. B4044 community

path campaign

Wants to connect Botley to Eynsham. Meets every 6-8

weeks. Contact via website B4044path.org

Books on Wheels R.V.S.

Free Library Service for housebound Ox. 248142

Botley Boys & Girls F.C.

Football teams from ages 8-16

Jason Barley Ox. 242926 jbarley1@sky.com or Brendan

Byrne 792531 brendan.byrne999@gmail.com

Botley Community Larder

Thursdays, 3.30 to 5.30 at St P&P Church Hall, West

Way, contact us via Facebook or email

botleylarder@gmail.com

Botley Library

01865 248142. Open till 7 on Friday and 1pm on Sat,

otherwise 9.30 to 5.30 (closed Wednesdays).

Botley Seniors Lunch Club

Alternate Thursdays. Seacourt Hall. Jackie Warner Ox721386

Botley Singers

Thur 7.30, St Andrew’s Church, Dean Court. Angela

Astley-Penny Ox.242189 angastpen@aol.com

Cumnor Choral Society

Rehearsals Friday 7.45 to 9.45 pm John May 07795 054142

or www.cumnorchoralsociety.wordpress.com

Cumnor Chess Club

Thurs 7–9pm Cumnor Old School. Steven Bennett

862788 www.cumnorchessclub.co.uk

Cumnor & District

Historical Society

Last Monday of the month 7.30-9.00 Cumnor Old

School. 01865 724808

Cumnor Gardening Club

http://cumnorgardens.org.uk/ or phone 01865

721026

Harmony InSpires, Ladies'

Acappella Singing Group

Wed 7.30 at Appleton Village Hall. C. Casson 01235 831352

or harmonyinspires@hotmail.co.uk

Hill End Volunteer Team

Contact: David Millin on david.millin@hill-end.org,

call 863510 or visit www.hillend-oec.co.uk

Lawn Tennis Club, N Hinksey

Family club Email: Tennis@OxfordSportsLTC.org

Let’s Sing! – singing group

Weds 2pm, WOCC, Emily 07969 522368 or email

emformusic@outlook.com

Morris Dancing – Cry Havoc

Barbara Brett 249599 or bag@cryhavoc.org.uk

North Hinksey Preschool

and Childcare clubs

Mon–Fri 7.45am–6.00 pm. Tel 794287 or email

nhps.manager1@gmail.com

N Hinksey Art Group

Weds 10– 12.00 W.I. Hall Christina 07931 707997

N Hinksey Bellringers

Contact: Ray Rook 01865 241451

N Hinksey Conservation

Volunteers

Meets at weekends Contact Voirrey Carr

07798743121 voirreyc@aol.com

N Hinksey, Friends of

Annual Cricket Match/ Walk. Douglas Bond 791213.

N Hinksey Parish Council

Sharon Henley, clerk@northhinksey-pc.gov.uk

N Hinksey Youth Club

Weds at LM pavilion, Daz: 07791 212866 or F’book

Oxford Flood Alliance

R Thurston 01865 723663 or 07973 292035

Oxford Flower Arranging Club

4th Thursday Cumnor. Dympna Walker: Ox 865259

Oxford Harmony Men's

Acappella singing group

Meets Wednesdays 7.45 pm at Seacourt Hall, Con-

tact pro@oxfordharmony.co.uk

Oxford Otters

Swimming for people with disabilities. Sundays,

twice monthly. Contact: Alan Cusden 723420

Oxford Rugby Club

Boys and girls from 5, kevin.honner@ntlworld.com

Seniors, training etc jbrodley@chandlings.org.uk.

Raleigh Park, Friends of

raleighpark@raleighp ark.o rg.uk

Saturdads at

Botley Bridges

Fun activities and trips for Dads and under 5’s

10 am–noon 1st Sat of month. Tel: 243955

Seacourt Hall Management

Committee

Michael Cockman 07766 317691

michael.cockman@gmail.com.

Shotokan Karate Club

6+ WOCC twice weekly Martyn King 07836 646450

Walking for Health

2nd & 4th Saturdays 9.50 Louie Memorial Field car

park, Arnolds Way. Alan 07941 610913

West Oxford Bowls Club

Contact details on

www.westoxfordbowlsclub.co.uk

West Oxford Taekwon Do

Club

Mon, Thurs 6.30-8pm, MA gym, contact Chris Hall

01865 570291 www.wotkd.co.uk

West Oxford U3A

(Uni of the 3rd Age) http://westoxfordu3a.org.uk/

West Way Day Centre

Mon & Fri 10–3pm, Field House, 07740 611971.

oxfordshirehub@royalvoluntaryservice.org.uk

Women’s Institute (Botley)

Alison Jenner 07598 251161

alisonjenner@yahoo.com

Weight Watchers

Thursdays 6pm at SS Peter & Paul Church Hall

Banso tel: 07779 253899 bansob@aol.com

Baptist Hall

West Way Place

Contact: Rev Kalyan Das

Te l . 0 7 8 4 1 8 6 7 9 6 7

The Rosary Room

Yarnells Hill, Elms Rise

Contact Maria Brown,

Te l : 0 1 8 6 5 2 4 7 9 8 6 .

SS Peter & Paul Church

Hall, West Way, Botley

Contact: 01865 242057 or

osneybenefice@outlook.com.

Women's Institute Hall,

North Hinksey Lane

Contact: Val Warner

Te l . 0 1 8 6 5 2 4 5 2 7 3

Seacourt Hall, West

Way Place, Botley

Contact: Lottie White on 07452 960100,

or email admin@seacourthall.org.uk

Pavilion, Arnold’s Way,

Elms Rise, Botley

Contact: Darren Blase 241254

louiememorialpav ilion@gmail.com

Oxford Rugby Club,

North Hinksey Village

Contact:. Mary Bagnall

mary.bagnall1@btinternet.com.

North Hinksey & Botley Churches

Times of Services (once resumed) and Contacts

St. Lawrence, Church of England, North Hinksey Lane

1st, 2nd, 4th Sunday, Sung Eucharist 11.30 a.m.

3 rd Sunday, Matins 11.30 am

St. Peter and St. Paul, Church of England, West Way

2nd Saturday each Month, 4–6pm Messy Church for children and their carers

1st Sunday of the Month, 9.30am All Age service of Holy Communion

All other Sundays, 9.30am Holy Communion with activities for children

Every Wednesday, 10.30am Holy Communion at Field House

Rev Clare Sykes, Tel. 01865 242345 or revclare@btinternet.com

Our Lady of the Rosary Church, Roman Catholic, Ya r n e l l s Hill

Saturday 6.30 pm. Mass

Sunday 9.15 am Mass

Fr Daniel Lloyd. 07584 323915 dlloyd@portsmouthdiocese.org.uk.

Botley Baptist Church, West Way Place

Sunday Service 10.30 am.

Mid Week House Group 8.00 p.m.

Family Worship Service 5 -6pm on Saturday

R ev Kalyan Das 07841 867967 www.botleybaptistchurch.org

Calvary Chapel

Sunday services held at Botley School 10.30–12 noon

Pastor Philip Vickery 01865 864498

calvarychapeloxford@yahoo.co.uk;

www.calvarychapeloxford.org.uk

Sprout

October 2021

Thur 7th 12 for 12.30, Seacourt Hall, Botley Seniors Lunch

Club

Sun 10th 11-1.30 pm , W.I. Hall, North Hinksey Lane, Car Boot

Sale

Mon 11th 2.30, U3A talk, Via Zoom at home or at Dean Court

Community Centre: 150 years of the London Underground

Tues 1 2th 6pm via Zoom, BMC Patients Participation

Group meeting. Email csugden@ocrpl.org for the link.

Thur 14th 7.30pm, Seacourt Hall, N Hinksey Parish Council

meeting

Sun 17th 3–5pm, South View House, Botley Apple Day

Thur 21st Seniors Lunch club, as above.

Mon 25th 2.30, U3A talk, Via Zoom at home or at Dean Court

Community Centre: Lady Poisoners of Victorian England

Half term week 25th-29th Spooky Crafts for kids at Botley

Library.

More local events and information on www.botleyhinksey.org.uk